Texas DNA Lab Helps Iowa City Police Crack 32-Year-Old Cold Case

IOWA CITY, IOWA – A 32-year-old cold case in Iowa City has finally moved forward after a Texas-based DNA lab helped investigators identify a suspect in the death of a newborn found in 1992.

Break in a Decades-Old Case

In December 1992, sanitation workers discovered the body of a newborn infant in an Iowa City landfill. For decades, the case, known as that of “baby John Doe,” remained unsolved.

On Tuesday, authorities announced the arrest of Cindy Elder, who is now facing charges connected to the case.

How DNA Technology Made the Difference

Traditional investigative methods had long been exhausted. It wasn’t until recent advances in DNA analysis that the case was revived. Investigators turned to Othram Inc., a forensic genetics company based in Texas.

“This was a case that was kind of difficult to work with. We had some paraffin-embedded tissue from the infant,” explained Michael Vogen, Othram’s Director of Case Management.

Such remains are highly susceptible to contamination, making the process particularly complex. “Any time DNA is exposed to conditions just outside of being in a safe space, it can tend to have an adverse effect on the longevity of the DNA,” Vogen added.

Forensic Genealogy Leads to Identification

Othram’s team used advanced techniques to isolate and enhance the human DNA within the samples.

“We’ve created some really cool ways to enrich the human component of the DNA that’s there and basically tease out all the noise that we don’t need and then we’re able to build these really robust profiles and help folks get identified,” said Vogen.

The resulting DNA profile was used in forensic genealogy, ultimately generating leads that connected investigators to Elder and allowed them to make an arrest decades after the child’s death.

The breakthrough illustrates how modern forensic science can breathe new life into long-unsolved cases, providing closure for communities and justice for victims. For more updates on cold cases and public safety news, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.